Chapter 347 - 302: Projection Mumu

Chapter 347: Chapter 302: Projection Mumu

A Cultivator like Jiang Xu, an outsider who had fled from another State Domain, was bound to stand out.

And standing out meant constant trouble.

To blend into the local environment, Jiang Xu had been wondering how he should disguise himself.

His initial plan was to use Insect as his Pet Beast to create a disguise.

To pass himself off as an Insect Cultivator.

But Jiang Xu still had some reservations.

Insect was ranked among the top 500 on the Ancient Strange Insect List, making it extremely precious.

In a place like Dinghai State, knowledge of things like Spirit Beasts and Exotic Insects was limited.

Most Cultivators couldn’t recognize Insect.

So Jiang Xu could use it without worry, not having to be overly concerned about being targeted.

But Demon Spirit State was a different story. Unlike Dinghai State, it was renowned for Beast Taming.

Even if not everyone there would recognize a creature like Insect...

...the chances of it being identified would be far higher than in Dinghai State.

He couldn’t rule out the possibility of being targeted by someone with ulterior motives.

But now, things were different.

Under Jiang Xu’s doubly-enhanced nurturing, Mumu would soon reach Tier Two, or at least be close to it.

That level of power was already enough to handle common, minor troubles.

For problems Mumu couldn’t solve, he could use Insect on a case-by-case basis.

And if even Insect couldn’t solve it...

...then Jiang Xu would have no choice but to use every trick up his sleeve.

Namely, the Magic Stars.

Thus, Mumu’s future path was set.

Jiang Xu decided to shape Mumu into a combat-oriented Spirit Tree, integrating both offense and defense.

That way, he wouldn’t have to deploy Insect every time he ran into a bit of trouble.

Mumu could handle everyday matters on its own.

Jiang Xu planned to use the catalytic and Projection Power of the Cuiwei Heart Technique to guide Mumu’s roots, making them more developed and flexible. They would not only sink deep into the ground to absorb rich nutrients but could also extend like tentacles when needed to bind enemies and block attacks.

He also envisioned regulating the influx of Wood Attribute Spiritual Qi to make Mumu’s trunk and branches harder, even allowing it to grow sharp wooden thorns like a natural Thorn Armor.

Damage in battle was inevitable, so Mumu’s self-healing and regenerative abilities also needed to be a focus for enhancement.

Jiang Xu wanted to guide Mumu in generating a highly efficient internal Life Force circulation system. This would allow damaged parts to heal rapidly and, in extreme cases, even allow it to shed tissue to preserve its overall Life Force.

It also needed to accelerate its absorption of Wood Attribute Spiritual Qi from the environment, speeding up wound healing and restoring its Life Force.

However, none of this could be achieved overnight.

’I can put aside the matter of projecting the Spirit Tree for now; it isn’t urgent.’

’The most important thing right now is getting to Xiao Jin Island.’

Jiang Xu recalled Mumu, which was still reluctant to leave the outside world, and his gaze turned toward Xiao Jin Island.

...

Xiao Jin Island.

It wasn’t too far from Wenqu Island.

A distance of just a hundred li.

The island’s total area wasn’t enormous—only about the size of three or four ordinary prefecture-level cities from Jiang Xu’s past life.

But the number of Cultivators who came to the island for pleasure was terrifyingly large.

The island was home to hundreds of thousands of Cultivators.

Furthermore, most of these were not Early Stage Qi Cultivation Cultivators just starting on their journey.

The vast majority were at the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage or above.

This was an incredible number.

After all, one needed a Spirit Root to become a Cultivator.

The odds of a mortal’s offspring being born with a Spirit Root were said to be one in ten thousand.

Even among the children of Cultivators, the probability of producing another Cultivator was only one in a thousand.

What’s more, even among those with Spirit Roots who became Cultivators, half would remain stuck at the Qi Cultivation Early Stage, unable to advance a single step.

In other words...

Xiao Jin Island had gathered nearly five percent of all Cultivators at the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage or higher from Wenqu Island and its countless surrounding islands.

Don’t be fooled; five percent, or one-twentieth, might not sound like much.

But in reality, it was an astonishing feat, like an ant carrying an elephant on its back.

So why did so many Cultivators flock to Xiao Jin Island?

’If Xiao Jin Island were just a place for simple fun and games, would it be this popular?’

Jiang Xu was certain that was impossible.

’There must be some other secret here, one that isn’t widely known.’

’Er...’

’...Then again, it’s probably a widely known secret, or there wouldn’t be this many Cultivators.’

...

Just as Jiang Xu expected.

There were requirements for entering Xiao Jin Island.

It wasn’t a place one could come and go from freely.

As for these so-called requirements...

The first was Spirit Stones.

One had to possess at least two hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones.

This was, in fact, a very strict condition.

Jiang Xu himself couldn’t have met it when he was at the Lower Grade of Qi Cultivation. He only managed to save that much after reaching the Middle Stage and learning Talisman Making.

Ordinary Cultivators lacked Jiang Xu’s talent for earning Spirit Stones. Even for a Qi Cultivation Middle Stage Cultivator, it would take a very long time to save up two hundred.

If the first requirement was practically nonexistent for Jiang Xu, the second one would have left him helpless.

The second was proof of identity.

Specifically, proof that could verify which island, family, or sect a Cultivator belonged to.

This type of identification, which could be used to track an individual down, was what troubled Jiang Xu.

After all, Jiang Xu was a fugitive from Dinghai State.

’How could I possibly have any proof of identity?’

’Even if I had one, it would be from Dinghai State, and Xiao Jin Island wouldn’t recognize credentials from a place so far away.’

Jiang Xu had a suspicion about this second requirement.

He suspected it was to ensure that even if the monks ran away, the temple would still be there.

If someone caused trouble on Xiao Jin Island or ran up a debt of Spirit Stones...

...the island’s proprietors wouldn’t be left wondering who to collect from.

Originally, Jiang Xu would have been unable to meet this second requirement.

But he had obtained the credentials of a Middle Grade Scholar from Wenqu Pavilion.

In other words, Jiang Xu now had a recognized status in the Youxian Sea.

He was no longer just a refugee from abroad.

...

Within a ten-li radius of Xiao Jin Island, Cultivators from the island would inspect all arrivals.

Jiang Xu observed from a distance for a good while, watching as Dharma Ships, Flying Ships, and Magical Treasures ferried all sorts of Cultivators to and fro.

After confirming that there were plenty of solo travelers among the Cultivators headed for Xiao Jin Island...

...Jiang Xu leisurely boarded the Tier One Top Grade Dharma Ship that Xiong Liangsheng had given him.

Under Jiang Xu’s control, the Dharma Ship moved like a swimming dragon, silently slicing through the water’s surface as it sped toward Xiao Jin Island.

When the Dharma Ship was ten li from Xiao Jin Island, a thin protective barrier suddenly materialized ahead. It was like a transparent crystal film, enveloping the entire island completely.

This protective barrier looked flimsy, but it contained a powerful Restriction. Any unpermitted intruders would be blocked.

Jiang Xu was prepared for this. He didn’t try to force his way through; instead, he brought the ship to a steady halt before the barrier and patiently waited for the island’s Cultivators to come and conduct their inspection.

Before long, a graceful figure glided out from within the protective barrier.

She was a stunning Female Cultivator, clad in a pink gauze dress. The gossamer fabric did little to hide her exquisite curves, revealing her enchanting figure to stunning effect.

Her skin was as fair as snow, and her jet-black hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall, swaying gently in the wind and adding to her allure.

Her pair of peach-blossom eyes were slightly upturned, their shifting gaze full of endless charm and temptation, as if they could steal one’s very soul.

This stunning Female Cultivator was clearly not just a pretty face. Her Cultivation was also impressive, having reached at least Qi Cultivation Perfection.

Jiang Xu’s heart tensed.

’To use a Cultivator like her for reception duties... they must be incredibly wealthy and extravagant.’

It was just the tip of the iceberg.

’It looks like this trip to Xiao Jin Island is going to be difficult.’

When the Female Cultivator reached the barrier and saw that Jiang Xu was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator riding a Tier One Top Grade Dharma Ship, the smile on her face widened.

She parted her vermilion lips, her voice as melodious and pleasant as an oriole’s song.

"Welcome to Xiao Jin Island, Sir. You may call me Hua Ying."

Jiang Xu nodded and handed over a Storage Bag.

The Storage Bag contained Spirit Stones for the financial inspection.

Hua Ying didn’t take it, but offered a captivating smile.

"Sir, you are a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and what’s more, you’ve arrived on a Tier One Top Grade Dharma Ship. Do I really need to verify your wealth?"

Jiang Xu couldn’t help but chuckle.

’I’d forgotten about that.’

So, Jiang Xu put the Storage Bag away. Then, from another Storage Bag, he retrieved the Jade Token that symbolized his status as a Middle Grade Scholar and offered it to Hua Ying.

This time, Hua Ying’s red lips parted slightly, her large, limpid eyes widening in surprise.

"Middle Grade Scholar?!"